Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands
The approximately 640 million acres of public lands — from national parks to wildlife refuges and national grasslands to national forests — provide essential habitat, recreational opportunities, cultural access and enjoyment, and historical preservation. Despite this immense value, these uniquely American treasures were recently threatened by several short-sighted attempts to sell off vast swaths of public lands to the highest bidder.
Halting the Heist of Public Lands
In August 2024, officials in Utah filed a lawsuit claiming the federal government unconstitutionally owned 18.5 million acres of public land in the state. Our public lands team began educating the public and the sporting community about the dangerous implications this lawsuit had on public lands more broadly, joining podcasts and creating a website and campaign called “Halt the Heist.”
Fortunately, in January 2025, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. But we knew we had to stay alert. The lawsuit “was concerning, because it was an early signal of a multi-branch effort to sell public lands.” says David Willms, associate vice president for public lands. “We were one of the first national organizations to identify the threat.”
A few months later, in what Willms described as “a late-night move that flew under the radar for most Americans,” a land sale provision appeared in the congressional budget reconsolidation bill. Once again, NWF and its supporters activated immediately. “We had less than a month on the House side to get it removed, and even less time than that on the Senate side,” said Willms.
The Message Ignites Across the Country
By appearing on popular podcasts, crafting compelling social media posts, writing explainer blogs, and sending action alerts, we set the record straight and mobilized voters across the country.
The message caught fire. Senators complained to their staffers that their email inboxes were jammed, phones ringing off the hook. They struggled to get “real work done,” as their constituents implored: say no to public land sales.
This time, our advocacy prevailed: Leaders across the political spectrum, including a former Trump Administration Interior secretary, stood with the public and opposed the land sales — protecting these lands, every American’s birthright, for now.
Getting the Word Out
NWF’s Successful Halt the Heist Campaign
From coast to coast, NWF set the record straight and mobilized voters across the country to “Halt the Heist” through outreach that included radio, TV, podcasts, social media, blogs, alerts, and more.
- Nearly 450 social media posts across 3 accounts (Our Public Lands, NWF Outdoors & Artemis.)
- Top social post was seen by more than 200,000 people.
- More than 45,000 people responded to Action Alerts.
- Joined with CEOs of major sporting orgs and prominent sporting companies to record a video touting public lands, garnering several million views.
- April 2025 digital ads received 1.7 million impressions.
A Family Legacy of Conservation
On his fifth work anniversary, David Willms, associate vice president for public lands, reflected on NWF’s connection to his grandfather and his father.